1967





	Strangers to one another Soon enough, we'd be brothers Each with a story to tell Each a story of hell Many years ago Our country called We responded, not one, but all We arrived at a place From near, from far By bus, by plane By train, by car Many signed up.... Because it was war! Many were drafted Not knowing what for Some fled to Canada Risking their freedom Wishing and hoping No one would seem 'em As protestesters marched "NO MORE!" "NO MORE!" It didn't keep Uncle From our door! We'd come from Every state and race Some joined To escape a criminal case While some so determined ID's were faked While some asked, "Why me?" Must be some mistake But, there we were From every hood Ready for battle Together...we stood! They put us on buses To North Carolina Each wearing a mask "COULDN'T BE FINER!" Eight weeks of boot camp Eight weeks AIT Hard to believe We were in the Arrmy We marched and drilled Learning new skills Each lesson essential Just maybe We wouldn't get killed They gave us a number Some bitched and moaned But. we learned to remember For that's how we were known!!!! Uniforms and guns We were given Final tips for survival And one final prayer.. "COME BACK WITH THE LIVING" No longer was war Just seen on T. V. We were in Nam That was reality!!! Searchin' - Destroyin' Along the Cambodian border In a country They say needed "law and order?" We fought an enemy Barely visible Under condiions Truly miserable From ambush to ambush And village to village And craters of mud The trail never ended The blood!! The blood!! If we knew what was happening Back in the states We may have stayed behind And left our lives to fate Instead we were there Diseased and fatiqued Broke down from fears Doing a battle That still today...is not clear We returned to roam In a land known as home Awainting to be accepted And remembered Awainting to be called by name Not by number Awaiting to be recognized As we were recognized The day we joined The day we were selected Is that asking too much.....????? We want to be respected! Never again to be rejected!



		COPYRIGHT BY WILLIAM R. I. "EASY" SMITH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED